Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 10:30 AM Worship At the ringing of the carillon, please silence your cell phones and conversations and prepare your hearts and minds for an encounter with the Living God. Bolded text is read or sung by all. *Please rise in body or spirit. COME Voluntary Christmas Tree Matt Dudack and Jeff Neitzke, steel drums *Call to Worship Philippians 4:4-5 Todd Willis Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. We rejoice in the hope of Christ s coming. Let us worship God! *Hymn 11 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN Advent Candle Lighting Bevan, Tia, Margaret, and Phoebe Haynes Jesus said, I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. - Isaiah 40:5
ENCOUNTER Prayer of Confession It is Advent. It is the season in which we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, who is the bringer of all peace. We confess to you the ways in which we block the peace of Christ in our lives. God of peace, hear our prayer. Relieve us of the rushing and scurrying to get things done, the worry about the little details, the financial burdens we put on ourselves, and the impatience and irritability we feel and take out on one another. The bickering and quarreling we get into because we are too busy, we confess to you, O God of peace. Though we make ourselves less than peaceful at this time of the year, your peace is always there for us. When we feel overwhelmed, when we are filled with worry, when we become irritable, instill within us your peace, and help us to make choices that bring us closer to you. Help us to be more peaceful so that we may spread Christ s peace and love to others. Silence is observed. Response 574 Lord, Have Mercy Kyrie Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Assurance of Forgiveness *Response 567 Glory Be to the Father Gloria Patri Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen. Amen. *Passing the Peace Greet both friends and strangers saying, The peace of Christ be with you. Time for Church Life
Please sign the friendship pad and pass to those seated near you. If you are the last person to sign on that page, please tear it out and leave it on the pew for the ushers to pick up after the service. Offertory The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy West Indian Carol arr. John Leavitt Oh yes, the Virgin Mary had a baby boy and they said that his name was Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh yes, the angels sang when the baby born and proclaim him the Savior Jesus. Oh yes, the Wise Men saw where the baby was born and they knew that his name was Jesus. *Response 592 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Time for Young Disciples The Reverend Jon Hauerwas After the Time with Young Disciples, 3 through 6 year-olds are invited to the Nursery for age-appropriate activities. Grades 1-8 will stay in worship with their family. Prayer for Illumination GROW The First Lesson Psalm 80:1-3, 17-19 Pew Bible, Old Testament Pg. 540 *Hymn 282 If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT The Second Lesson Matthew 1:18-25 Pew Bible, New Testament Pg. 1 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Sermon A Lesson in Trust The Reverend Jon Hauerwas
SERVE *Affirmation of Faith As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world - which some seek to control, and others view with despair - we declare with joy and trust: Our world belongs to God! Remembering the promise to reconcile the world, God joined our humanity in Jesus Christ - the eternal Word made flesh. He is the longawaited Messiah, one with us and one with God, fully human and fully divine, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary. We long for the day when our bodies are raised, the Lord wipes away our tears, and we dwell forever in the presence of God. We will take our place in the new creation, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, and the Lord will be our light. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Prayers of the People and The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. *Hymn 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL *Charge and Benediction *Voluntary O Holy Night Join us for coffee and fellowship in Wright-Herberich Hall after worship today.
Welcome to our worship this morning! USHERS Brad Hall (head usher) Mike Grau, James and Sook Lee, Bob Pulling and Andrea Jopperi. LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available. Please ask an usher. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available. Please ask an usher. CHILDREN S BIBLES AND ACTIVITY BOXES are available in the Narthex. Please ask an usher. THE RED ROSE IN THE CHANCEL LAST WEEK was in honor of the birth of William Miles Gray born Tuesday, December 6 at 3:22 pm weighing 5.25 pounds and 19.6 inches long. He is the new son of Mallory and James Gray. 2017 Stewardship Update - Goal $425,000 As of December 12, 2016, 100 pledges totaling $311,860 have been received. We are at 73% percent of goal. If you have not already pledged, please prayerfully consider your gift to Westminster for next year. Our programs and ministries depend on your generosity. Thank you for your ongoing support. Monthly Financial Report November 2016 Actual Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Total Revenues $41,539.74 $52,115.25 $489,170.90 **$605,517.75 Total Expenses $42,545.04 $50,632.26 $532,842.27 $591,937.15 Net *($1,005.30) $1,483.99 *($43,671.37) $13,580.60 *Rowley Funds spent to support current operations. **Budgeted total revenues include anticipated withdrawals from Rowley investments necessary to balance the budget totaling $116,400 for the year. Please contact the Finance Office if you would like a copy of the detailed financial report for the period ending November 30, 2016.
COME - ENCOUNTER - GROW - SERVE SINCE ADVENT, OUR GIVING TREE has been standing in front of the sanctuary ready to accept and display our colorful gifts of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves for children being sheltered by ACCESS, an Akron agency serving our area s homeless women and their children, nearly 400 of them each year. The items we each add to the tree will be Westminster s gifts of caring and comfort to these children, helping to warm them through the winter. CHRISTMAS BASKET Your family can make another family's Christmas a little brighter by contributing money to help fill the baskets. Each basket will cost $50, but any donation is appreciated. Simply fill out the Christmas Basket flyer found on literature racks and place it in the offering plate. You may also give on-line by going to westminsterakron.com. We will continue to accept Christmas basket donations after December 17, so please continue to give! CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE Our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held Saturday, December 24 at 5:00 pm. Doors open at 4:00 pm and childcare opens at 4:30 pm. On Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25 at 10:30 am we will celebrate our traditional Lessons and Carols service and childcare will not be provided. On New Year s Day, Sunday, January 1 we will hold a traditional worship service at 10:30 am with childcare available from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Education will resume for all on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Invite family and friends to worship with us! YOUTH ACTIVITY All youth are invited to volunteer at Good Neighbors Food Center 9:00 am-noon on Saturday, January 7, 2017. Meet at 9:00 am at 1453 Goodyear Blvd, Akron, OH 44305. No cost. Friends are welcome. FAMILY ICE SKATING Join us, Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Lock 3, downtown Akron, for family skating. Rental is $3 for skates or bring your own, skating is free. Cookies will be available for WPC members. LIBRARY CONVERSATIONS is reading the book The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman during education hour at 9:30 am in the library. If you are interested in reading this book or being part of the discussion, please feel free to join us.
Calendar of Church Building Events December 18 January 2, 2017 Sunday, 12/18: Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:00 am Child care Center opens 9:15 am Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) 9:30 am Education for all ages 9:30 am Library Conversations (Library) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee and Fellowship (Wright-Herberich Hall) 4:30 pm Youth Visioning Team Meeting (Tween Room) 5:00 pm Third Sunday Dinner (WHH/Kitchen) Monday, 12/19: 6:00 pm West Side Vocal Academy Recital (Sanctuary) Tuesday, 12/20: 9:30 am Prayer Quilt Ministry (Wright-Herberich Hall) Wednesday, 12/21: No activities planned Thursday, 12/22: 9:30 am Staff Meeting (Library) 12:00 pm Staff Luncheon sponsored by PW (WHH) Friday, 12/23: Church Office Closed Saturday, 12/24: Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Doors open for Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary) 4:15 pm Choir in the Sanctuary 4:30 pm Child care Center opens 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Sanctuary) Sunday, 12/25: Christmas Day-No child care will be offered today. 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee and Fellowship (Wright-Herberich Hall) Monday, 12/26: Church Office Closed Tuesday, 12/27: No activities planned Wednesday, 12/28: No activities planned Thursday, 12/29: No activities planned Friday, 12/30: Church Office Closed Saturday, 12/31: Church Office Closed Sunday, 1/1: New Year s Day 10:00 am Child care Center opens 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee and Fellowship (Wright-Herberich Hall) Monday, 1/2/17: Church Office Closed
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 2:00 pm We do our best to answer your phone calls weekday mornings. You may be directed to our automated answering service at other times. We strive to provide access to the church building during office hours through our callbox in the rear of the church building. Please call ahead and inquire about building access if you are coming after 2:00 pm. WEEKLY DEADLINE for information to be included in the Sunday Updates and Sunday bulletins for Friday, December 23 through Sunday, January 1, 2017 is Monday, December 19 at noon. FEBRUARY/MARCH SCRIPT The deadline for articles will be Wednesday, January 18. The Script will be distributed on Sunday, January 29, 2017. JUST A REMINDER that your year-end gifts must be physically delivered to the Finance Office or postmarked on or before December 31, 2016 to be included on your 2016 giving statement. We follow this policy to be in compliance with IRS regulations regarding tax deductions allowable in a specific year. Thank you for your generous support of Westminster Presbyterian Church during 2016. Please note: The office will be closed Friday, December 30. WPC Staff: The Reverend Jonathan S. Hauerwas, Pastor jhauerwas.wpc@gmail.com (cell phone 360-510-1750) (weekly office days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) Sheila Svoboda, Dir. of Children and Family Ministry wpcchildren1250@gmail.com (weekly office days: Tuesday and Thursday) Sean Williams, Youth Ministry Administrator wpcyouth1250@gmail.com (cell phone 717-271-1221) James Mismas, Director of Music/Organist musicdirectorwpc@gmail.com Germaine Wilson, Director of Communicationgwilson1250@gmail.com (weekly office days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) Eileen Martinez, Staff Accountant wpcfinance1250@gmail.com (weekly office days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) Jeremiah Ward, Daytime Custodian (Monday-Friday) wpcbuilding@gmail.com Kayla Elefritz, Childcare Director kayla_elefritz@yahoo.com (cell phone-330-564-7580) Samuel Olin-Hitt, Director of Children s Choir wpcchildrenschoir1250@gmail.com (cell phone-330-936-8489) Perry Wynn, Evening and Sunday Custodian (Sunday-Friday)